Cyclone watch: Odisha puts ten coastal districts on alert

Bhubaneswar: Even as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) made it clear that the cyclonic storm 'Mahasen' would have no major impact on the state as it would move towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coast, Odisha government on Monday put 10 coastal districts under alert for meeting any eventuality.

"According to the present predictions, the system is not likely to have larger impact to Odisha state. However, the Collectors of the coastal and nearby districts have been asked to closely watch the situation and keep the field functionaries on alert to meet any eventuality," a release issued by the Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office said.

The coastal districts which are put on alert included Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Balasore, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj.

The district authorities have been instructed to activate the District Emergency Operation Centres (DistrictControl Room) and make necessary arrangements for tracking information on the movement and likely impacts of the cyclonic storm from IMD websites, it said.

"The State Emergency Operations Centre is functioning in the office of Special Relief Commissioner round the clock," said an official adding that under impact of the cyclonic system, surface wind speed reaching 30-35 kmph gusting to 45 kmph from southwesterly direction would prevail along and off Odisha coast.

Rain or thundershower would occur at one or two places over Odisha during next 24 hours, officials said.

Distant Warning Signal Number-Two has been kept hoisted at Paradeep and Gopalpur ports in Odisha. Fishermen have been asked to be cautious while venturing into sea.

Meanwhile, the latest bulletin of IMD, Bhubaneswar, said that 'Mahasen' over Southeast Bay of Bengal moved Northwestwards and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of May 13 near latitude 11.80 N and longitude 86.40 E about 940 km South of Paradeep.